Chapter 386: Chapter 26: Surrender (First Update)
Batraj traveled discreetly towards Shangjing with the escort of his trusted aide. He was well aware that his behavior amounted to deserting the battlefield, a humiliation to the Tartar Batulu’s name.
Yet, upon hearing of his father king and mother queen’s deaths, he vowed to himself that he must survive, no matter the cost.
As long as he returned to Shangjing, he would still be the Tartar Khan. If he couldn’t defeat Great Chu, he could always surrender; after all, every past Khan had signed a surrender and peace treaty at least once. He’d be no exception, and they could tear it up when necessary in the future!
But in Shangjing, the plan to capture Batraj was already underway, so the agreement abolishing his position wasn’t announced to the public, only to insiders.
Dreaming of regrouping upon his return to Shangjing, Batraj was unaware of how drastically things had changed in Tartar.
However, Qin Miao’s act of self-immolation had put Shangjing in turmoil, leaving everyone in disbelief of Princess Yonghe’s suicide. The blazing fire at Qiu Huang Palace had alerted the entire city.
There were undoubtedly spies from Great Chu, and avoiding misunderstandings was best achieved through admission.
Thus, when Batraj finally arrived back at Shangjing, the sight awaiting him was the white mourning banners hanging outside the Royal Palace!
Batraj was trained as a rightful prince, with keen political awareness and sensitivity.
Upon seeing the mourning banners, his first thought wasn’t "Who died?" but "What has happened?"
He needed to leave quickly, but it was too late. Surrounded by over a hundred ambushing Tartars at the Royal Palace, Batraj realized he had been abandoned, even sentenced to appease the Emperor of Great Chu’s wrath.
Meanwhile, Liu Daneng, upon receiving Tartar’s surrender letter, also heard the news of the Queen’s and Princess Yonghe’s mournful deaths.
Upon hearing Tartar’s surrender, Liu Daneng wasn’t surprised. But hearing of Princess Yonghe’s death shocked him completely!
"Who did you say was gone?"
The visitor was Aleta, who frequently interacted with Liu Daneng in the past. Back then, Aleta was Bai Family Master Bai Wansan, and Liu Daneng was the Commander of Hami Guard.
At that time, Liu Daneng was greedy, and Aleta had wealth, making them quite "partnered" in cooperation.
But now, Aleta felt like cursing, dumped with this thankless task by those indulgent people, just as his ancestors had suffered.
The humiliation was deeply etched into his very being.
Yet Liu Daneng had no mind to care for Aleta’s fragile ego, nor did he care for the box of gems placed on the table.
"How could Sister Miao commit suicide? That’s absolutely impossible!"
Upon hearing those words, Aleta wished to echo Liu Daneng’s sentiment: "Great minds think alike!" How could the girl who outsmarted Batraj choose suicide?
But the incident undeniably happened. Despite disbelief, as an "ally," Aleta couldn’t undercut Qin Miao, lest future opportunities for favor be lost.
Moreover, the act was convincingly dramatic, with Qiu Huang Palace scorched halfway by oil, the charred corpse prepared for confirmation. Even without the unburnt Phoenix Pattern Pendant, the best forensic doctor verified the remains as Princess Yonghe.
At this moment, Aleta expressed heartfelt sorrow, "Please, Liu Dusi, accept my condolences!"
Liu Daneng suddenly stood, "How can I grieve? I can’t grieve. Sister Miao couldn’t have possibly committed suicide!
I won’t accept this statement, nor will the Qin Family or the Emperor accept it!
Bai Wansan, given our past cooperation, I’ll let you return. But Great Chu won’t withdraw the troops. The Emperor’s decree is to invade the Tartar Royal Palace and capture Batraj alive.
However, since you submitted the surrender letter, as long as the Tartar Army doesn’t resist, we won’t kill indiscriminately, but withdrawal is impossible!"
At this moment, the eunuch sent by the Emperor to form the army was detained by Liu Daneng with good food and drink. He didn’t care about Bai Wansan’s pretentiousness and spoke candidly.
Giving up the imminent achievement wasn’t his style, and the people below wouldn’t agree, even if he wanted to.
Especially with the news of Sister Miao’s suicide, true or false, public or private, he must investigate personally.
Aleta had accepted cooperation with Prince Ke; as long as he became Tartar Khan, the nobles’ fate in Shangjing wasn’t his concern.
Regarding Liu Daneng’s words, Aleta agreed without hesitation, leaving Liu Daneng puzzled.
Was Tartar feigning surrender, planning to capture Great Chu soldiers once inside Shangjing, or were they scheming a surprise attack once they relaxed?
Observing Liu Daneng’s reaction, Aleta realized he wasn’t in Prince Ke’s faction, or he wouldn’t be doubting now.
"Rest assured, Liu Dusi, those people in Shangjing are genuinely scared! I’ve informed the soldiers of Tartar’s surrender, and the camp leaders are organizing them to return to their tribes.
There have been enough casualties. We won’t resist further and hope Liu Dusi keeps his promise and doesn’t harm the surrendered warriors!"
Liu Daneng disdainfully turned his mouth, "Relax, I’m not a slaughter maniac and won’t massacre those who laid down arms."
Liu Daneng’s words mocked Tartar’s order to massacre ten thousand allied Wala troops.
To this, Aleta wished he could open Batraj’s head and see if it was brains or mush inside?
Failing to grasp the situation yet slaughtering allies—self-destructive, wasn’t it?
He was sure Tartar wouldn’t find willing allies again!
Moreover, Tartar’s dream of conquering Great Chu and unifying the world was utterly impossible now.
Aleta hid his inner regret, only nudging the box of gems towards Liu Daneng, "A small token for Liu Dusi, please accept it."
Liu Daneng glanced at him, half-smirking. "You’ve become Tartar’s hidden king, acting as regent. Why the same old trick?"
He didn’t care about Aleta’s awkward expression and opened the box to see over twenty gem-like lychees glistening in the sunlight.
Such large gems were rare, and especially in such pure color and texture, they were world-class. And to have over twenty of them, perfect for jewelry for his wife and daughter.
Thinking of his wife inevitably reminded him of "suicidal" Qin Miao. His mood sank, for though he’d betrayed his brother-in-law, he never sought harm, or else he couldn’t face his wife.
Contemplating how devastated his wife would be upon learning about Qin Miao, whom she treated like a daughter, Liu Daneng felt a headache, and his face dimmed.
"Speak your point and leave quickly!" Damn frustrating!
Aleta felt aggrieved, but his life was now in others’ hands; he had to endure, even if suffocating. "Just asking for a small favor from Liu Dusi..."
The human heart, forever the most unpredictable thing; yet interest is always the most reliable ally!
